Sabbahi to withdraw from elections if he suspects rigging

May. 18, 2014 14:00

Presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi - YOUM7 (Archive)

By MOHAMED GAMAL ELMAGHRABI

CAIRO: Hamdeen Sabbahi will not withdraw from the presidential race unless his supporters are attacked or elections are rigged, Sabbahi said during a live Saturday interview on Al-Hayat TV channel, adding that neither had happened and “might not ever happen.”

Former Member of Parliament Mohammed Abu Hamed had tweeted that Sabbahi would withdraw from elections, which are scheduled to be held on May 26 and 27.

During the interview, Sabbahi said, “All state institutions are biased towards Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, in addition to private channels.”

The 59-year-old candidate claimed that while he has an electoral program and considers himself the revolution’s candidate; others candidates have yet to announce a program.

The leftist candidate also claimed that while Sisi’s campaign contains “contradictory ideas and symbols of Hosni Mubarak’s corrupt regime;” his campaign represents the “January 25 and June 30 Revolutions.”

“Those who claim that elections will be rigged to favor Sisi are wrong,” Sabbahi said, adding that if Egypt’s youths participate in the elections he will win.

He said his experience as a member of parliament provides him with the necessary experience to handle and solve citizen problems.

The presidential campaigns of both candidates organized meetings with different social forces, publishing their activities on their official Facebook pages.

Sabbahi’s campaign reported several activities in a number of governorates and cities across Egypt such as Beheira, Beni Suef, Sharm el-Sheikh, in addition to a few places in Cairo.